carrying extra battery(s)

[Chargeride]

I still backpack my bmx, its not ideal, you need one of those hiker backpacks that hold the weight off your skin and keep the waist strap tight.
Even the slightest jump and the battery heads for the sky and then crashes down on you.
On flat ground its OK, and Ive done long rides with no issues, but if you do fall off the bike it can whack you in the head, an OTB could be very nasty.

 

[PCeBiker]

I still backpack my bmx,

That's a great idea !!!

A BMX won't fit in my backpack though, but my rollerskates or skateboard will,...

 

[PCeBiker]

I've thought of wearing one of these (and a jock strap) while riding to help reduce my risk of injury, and to kill the motor if I get tossed off my e-bike,..

 

[Mr. Coffee]

Strong reliable straps and a proper bag or mounting system are a necessity.

Voile Straps are strong and reliable.

 

[Chazmo]

Simplest secure approach would be to find dry bag with a daisy chain and two or three voile straps.

This bag is designed to be strapped to the handlebars but will work fine on a rear rack:

https://www.rei.com/product/186003/revelate-designs-saltyroll-handlebar-bag

Voile straps, probably 20 inches or 50cm in woke units will do the job:

Voile: Nylon Buckle Straps

On the job, in the outdoors, and everywhere in between: they are the definitive way to secure, bundle, and repair almost anything on the go.

www.voile.com

Note that the Revelate Salty Roll is on sale.

This is a good option and I appreciate the idea of securing with the utility straps. Those might be a better option than stretchy velcro straps, though both seem good. As for the SaltyRoll bag, I think I need something that’s somewhat heavily padded. Maybe not. I might try that. Haven’t decided yet. REI seems to have a good selection of bags; I may pay their store a visit soon. Thanks.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

This is a good option and I appreciate the idea of securing with the utility straps. Those might be a better option than stretchy velcro straps, though both seem good. As for the SaltyRoll bag, I think I need something that’s somewhat heavily padded. Maybe not. I might try that. Haven’t decided yet. REI seems to have a good selection of bags; I may pay their store a visit soon. Thanks.

One thing to watch out for with velcro straps is that they often fail to hold if they get wet or dirty.

If you use a dry bag or a salty roll you could easily wrap your battery in a rag or a sweater if you think you need padding. On the top of the rear rack you really don't need padding.

 

[6zfshdb]

At the very least, for $20, you could use something like this on your rear rack:

Amazon.com

It claims to be fireproof which I doubt. It may offer some flame resistance though, and might be good insurance if you do use a backpack.
In any case, it's waterproof enough to solve the problem of riding in the rain or dropping the bike in a stream or puddle.
There is some padding but not enough to provide impact protection. As Mr. Coffee says, you don't need much on a rear rack as long as the battery is securely fastened.

 

[J.R.]

At the very least, for $20, you could use something like this on your rear rack:

View attachment 189747

Amazon.com

It claims to be fireproof which I doubt. It may offer some flame resistance though, and might be good insurance if you do use a backpack.
In any case, it's waterproof enough to solve the problem of riding in the rain or dropping the bike in a stream or puddle.
There is some padding but not enough to provide impact protection. As Mr. Coffee says, you don't need much on a rear rack as long as the battery is securely fastened.

Here's another I've had on a saved list for awhile.

Amazon.com

 

[PCeBiker]

@Chazmo
I think you should just wrap your battery with anything you have on hand, strap it to your rear rack, and take it for a test ride.

If you notice a shimmy or wobble, you'll know right away if you can mount your battery on the rack.
Then try riding no-hands (if you know how) and check again for a shimmy.

It doesn't matter too much what you use to tie it down for a test ride. You'll know if it's secure enough for the test ride.
Check your rack too and see if it's bending or making noise or whatever when you shake the bike around.

You can try mounting the battery across the handlebars too, to see how the bike handles.

Once you find out where you can put the battery, you can buy something geared towards installing it there.
(Although I guess a battery bag and straps will allow you to strap it down just about anywhere?)

Both my e-bikes were fine until I strapped the battery to the rear rack, and a got a wobble.

Even then, I didn't get a wobble until I let go of the handlebars, so if you don't ride no-hands, then it doesn't matter.

I ride no-hands all the time so I Really wanted to do something so I could ride no-hands with two batteries.

 

[keithj69]

@Chazmo
I think you should just wrap your battery with anything you have on hand, strap it to your rear rack, and take it for a test ride.

If you notice a shimmy or wobble, you'll know right away if you can mount your battery on the rack.
Then try riding no-hands (if you know how) and check again for a shimmy.

It doesn't matter too much what you use to tie it down for a test ride. You'll know if it's secure enough for the test ride.
Check your rack too and see if it's bending or making noise or whatever when you shake the bike around.

You can try mounting the battery across the handlebars too, to see how the bike handles.

Once you find out where you can put the battery, you can buy something geared towards installing it there.
(Although I guess a battery bag and straps will allow you to strap it down just about anywhere?)

Both my e-bikes were fine until I strapped the battery to the rear rack, and a got a wobble.

Even then, I didn't get a wobble until I let go of the handlebars, so if you don't ride no-hands, then it doesn't matter.

I ride no-hands all the time so I Really wanted to do something so I could ride no-hands with two batteries.

I completely agree with these steps to test. I tried to strap a battery to my rack and had to turn around and go back home after 3 miles due to the wobble. I am also an Arkel fan and use a larger pannier for a battery and balance it out with a smaller arkel on the other side with some counter weight.

 

[tomjasz]

Go to a custom bike pack maker. There are any number of great sources. Best quality nylon water proof lined with the best 1"-2" foam, and a Nomex sock. Anal retentive like me would add a sock layer made of ceramic cloth. And BYU! But your wallet done been robbed!

 

[Chazmo]

Go to a custom bike pack maker. There are any number of great sources. Best quality nylon water proof lined with the best 1"-2" foam, and a Nomex sock. Anal retentive like me would add a sock layer made of ceramic cloth. And BYU! But your wallet done been robbed!

Well, it’s a great suggestion but I’m going the inexpensive route for the moment. I just ordered one of these KemiMoto packs which might work and which the dimensions indicate should be pretty snug around my battery(s). The sock/shirt idea is also a good one which I’ll probably employ. Also, I’ll probably get some of those Voile straps as well as it doesn’t look like the pack itself comes with sufficient anchoring.

I might get something bigger/better in the long run. I also love the pannier idea, and that may come as well. We’ll see how things continue to go with the bike and whether my rides start turning from 1/2 day to a full day or so with the extra battery power.

 

[Chazmo]

FYI, the dimensions of the KemiMoto bag are “close but no cigar.” Neither the previous generation 52Vx15Ah battery nor the G2 52Vx19.2Ah battery fit.

No harm done since the 52Vx15Ah previous-gen battery has failed on me so I don’t have a spare now. The battery was working fine for about an hour, but it cut out on me several times and now I think there’s some fuse that has blown since the power button will not turn on anymore. Could be the button itself as the two fuses in the rear of the battery are not blown.